Development Officer

Company: Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Date Posted: October 9, 2015

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

Based in Westchester County, New York – Yorktown Heights

Management Recruiters - Mid Hudson Valley is an executive search firm focused solely on serving the nonprofit sector. We have a national practice and the large majority of our placements are executive leadership or senior nonprofit professionals.

Our Client is Guiding Eyes for the Blind (Guiding Eyes - https://www.guidingeyes.org). Guiding Eyes is an internationally accredited nonprofit that provides superbly bred and trained guide dogs to men and women who are blind or visually impaired. Dogs not suited for guide work may become service dogs for children on the autism spectrum. All Guiding Eyes dogs expand horizons for people to achieve life’s goals.

Guiding Eyes currently seeks a Development Officer to fill a key role in their fundraising programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Development, the Development Officer will be responsible for creating and executing fundraising strategies and initiatives for individual gifts, corporate gifts / sponsorships, foundation gifts, grants, board giving and special events. The successful candidate will demonstrate a passion for the Guiding Eyes for the Blind mission and develop a deep understanding of the organization’s culture and services. Including this position, the Development Department is a 10 person team.

Specific Responsibilities  Steward and cultivate a portfolio of current donors with an emphasis on increasing the donor level of involvement through appropriate engagement, timely solicitation and relevant stewardship. Work closely with the President and CEO, VP Development and in cooperation with all Development staff members as well as the Development Committee of the Board of Directors and key staff and volunteers to support a cohesive team based approach to fundraising. Prepare and manage a budget and meet targeted fundraising goals. Conduct face to face meetings with donors, reach new and current donors through cultivation events, webcasts, on site functions and presentations.  Assist with and participate in the management of major fundraising events, donor recognition events and smaller, volunteer –led fundraising events. Collaborate with the Marketing Director to produce consistent and effective donor engagement pieces. Demonstrate a passion for the Guiding Eyes mission and a deep understanding of the organization’s culture and services.

Qualifications  A minimum of five years of progressive, professional experience in a major not-for-profit organization with a demonstrated track record of achieving established goals. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent business experience required; advanced degree desirable Must adhere to the highest ethical standards with the ability to act with discretion, self-assurance and diplomacy. Sound judgement in maintaining strict confidentiality of donor information. Highly developed written and verbal communications skills with the ability to work collaboratively in a flexible team environment to ensure the maximization of all giving opportunities. Available to travel for up to a week at a time. Willingness and desire to attend evening and weekend program activities in order to cultivate and steward donors and prospects. Proficient in Microsoft Office and database systems (Donor Perfect, Salesforce, etc.) with particular emphasis on maintaining meticulous donor and prospect records in the database following each contact. Must love and be comfortable around large, active dogs.